What is an Active School?

The Active School Flag (ASF) is awarded to schools that strive to achieve a physically educated and physically active school community. The process aims to get more schools, more active, more often.

Schools wishing to achieve the ASF begin the process by self-evaluating their current provision across 3 areas: Physical Education, Physical Activity and Partnerships. Schools must also organise an Active School Week programme and commit to having it as part of their annual school calendar. Schools that can say ‘yes’ to all of the ASF success criteria will be awarded with the active flag. The flag remains valid for a period of 3 years after which time schools will be invited to re-apply.

ASF is a Department of Education and Skills initiative supported by Healthy Ireland.

What Schools Think……

Principals

Parents

ASF Coordinators

Case Study Schools

Bunscoil McAuley Rice, Callan, Co. KILKENNY

“We really enjoyed the ASF progress and we felt that both the teachers and children really engaged with it brilliantly. It was a great opportunity to recognise all the strengths the school had in terms of physical activity, equally, it was great to pinpoint the areas that needed to be improved and there was so many examples on the website, the improvements were made with great ease!”

St Francis NS, Dundalk, Co. LOUTH

“This has been an amazing year for our school! We have loved every step of the journey through our Active School accreditation. Our pupils have grown in fitness and in appreciation for being active in general, and our staff are both fitter and more committed than ever to the message of the importance of keeping children (and adults) active!”

St Aidan’s NS, Kilmanagh, Co. KILKENNY

“It’s been so positive for children to see the teachers in the classroom joining in with activities such as on GoNoodle and DEAD time. Concentration levels after an active break are increased for the following lesson.”

Kilrossanty Ns, Kilmathomas, Co. WATERFORD

“The formation of the ASF committee was a great way of ensuring that a broad range of the pupils voices were heard and the ideas they came up with were so imaginative and at times amazed the staff!

There was definitely a change in attitude amongst the children that would normally have shied away or been reluctant to engage in PE activities. Teachers have also noted that their pupils fitness levels have improved over the last few months as many can run further and for longer on the track.

At the beginning of the process some of staff were anxious that the amount of extra time being given to physical activity would be detrimental to the other curricular subjects. However, they overwhelmingly found this not to be the case as the extra activities on a daily basis made the children more focused when they were working in class.”

Coomhola NS, Ballylickey, Co. CORK

“Bringing people together, that is the overwhelming positive element of the Active Flag application process in this school.

Giving a voice, and handing some control and responsibility to the children – not something that comes easy to us as teachers.

Seeing the children change and develop as they grow in confidence in their movement and physical literacy.”

Scoil Mhuire Lourdes, Castlerea, Co. ROSCOMMON

“Benefits of concentration evident in classrooms after participating in active activities, especially when used as transitions into next lesson.

An enjoyable project that the children really enjoy engaging in. Helped develop skills in all pupils not just the ‘sporty’ children. Very worthwhile all in all.”

Scoil Mhuire, Ballyboden, DUBLIN 16

“We love the active school flag process in our school. Although it is very tricky to fit it into every school day we are finding that the benefits prove that it is certainly worth the hard work.

The children love being part of the process and helping the teachers organise events and active school week.

We have found that active assembly works really well and small changes to yard time have made a massive improvement.”

Herbertstown NS, Co. LIMERICK

“Having completed the ASF process it is safe to say that engaging in the review areas is a great way of establishing ‘where you are’ as a school in terms of PE/sport.

Coming to terms with where you are and planning and implementing improvements offers an excellent opportunity for pupils, staff and the local community to work together towards a fantastic goal.

Active School Locations

RUN Around EUROPE Challenge

This year, as part of European Week of Sport (September 23-30) Irish schools are being encouraged to #BeActive and to take the RUN Around EUROPE Challenge. It’s a great way to RUN, have FUN and LEARN along the way.

The #BeActive schools’ campaign is an initiative for the whole school community – teachers,
students, parents etc. Every lap that you run equals 1 km so decide upon the capital cities that you would like to visit and get your running shoes on!